The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-03-10
ACONVlCTS ROMANCE.
REFUGEE FROM A PRISON WINS Fan

A REFUGEE FROM PRISON WINS FAMH
AND FORTUNE.
A romance that has long been hidden
has Just come to light, writes Jefferson
Vile, Ind, correspondent Of the st.
Louis Globe Democrat. Thirty
years ago Calvin Lyons was young
man OF Posey county, Ind. He had but
one fault, and that was excessive indul-
gence in intoxicants. One night he quar-
relied with bosom friend with whom he
was drinking in saloon, and shot him
through the heart. The young man was
tired, convicted Of manslaughter, and
sent to the prison south, at Jeffersonville,
for twenty-one years. He served two
years, and one cold night in March, 10
SO, he resolved to escape or die. DE
had secretly made tools, and had them
hidden in his cell. Wh,n the great bell
began tolling the hour at O'Clock he
commenced the work of cutting hole ID
the wall. He worked iudustriously, and
soon had one cut through, and was in
the corridor. Here another wall three
feet thick confronted him. Nothing
daunted, he went to work, and in
couple of hours had cut hole big
enough to crawl through. He then made
at least forty feet from the ground.
While he was considering what had best
be done, the guard came along and dis
covered him. Before the latter could
make an outcry, Lyons sprang upon him,
and being powerful man, soon had the
official insensible upon the floor. 1t re-
quired but few moments to bind, gag,
and strip the man of his clothes, which
Lyons hastily donned. Lyons then tore
bis bed clothes into strips, with which
he made rope and lowered himself to
the ground.
The steamer Sunfower was anchored
at the falls, and, being short of HANDS,
when Lyons volunteered to go TO work
they accepted the offer. The boat left
for southern waters. The prison officials
searched high and low for him, but be
could not be found.
In the meantime the steamer Sunhower
changed hands, and In two years Lyons
had become her captain. He saved
money and ran IL the Red river trade.
One time while on visit to some new
friends at Deer Creek, Miss, he conceiv-
ed the idea OF building mammoth cot
ton gin. Not having enough money of
his own, he interested a wealthy planter
ia his scheme, and the gin WAS built
Time brought them prosperity, and
Dame Fortune smiled her sweetest upon
them
His partner had daughter, and she
and Lyons fell deeply in love. The lat
tel did not wish to wed the young lady
without telling them of his former life.
of which prior to this time, he had been
ha
lady and her father into the Office one day,
he made clean breast of the affair. At
its conclusion he told the father that he
vas in love with his daughter, ana asked
if he would give her to an escaped con-
Wet. The old man considered the mat
ter, and finally gave his consent. They
we're married and Children grew up to
bless the household. His wife's father
died and made over his property to his
law, who was then worth IN the
neighborhood of $50, 900.
When the war broke out he joined the
Confederate army to battle for the Sonth.
He made a gallant soldier and won dis
tinctior for himself on many CORY field
After peace again overspread the land he
resumed business, and is now wealthy
and honored resident of Deer Greek
His hair is silvered and his face is wrink
led, but he is still bale and hearty and be
has nearly reached three score of years.
Some eight or nine years ago gentle
man passed through Deer Greek and
stopped over night with Mr.. Lyons. He
mentioned that he was from Jefferson
| vile, and the host proceeded to tell him
his history.
''Are you not afraid to tell me this,
Mr.. Lyons?" said the gentleman.
"No," said the host "Eba people
here wouldn't SEQ me arrested and taken
back to prison, and l defy tue officers to
try it.
The gentleman has since correspond
| al regularly with his southern host, and
a few days ago, for the first time, related
the incident. The hole Lyons cut
through the front of the prison is still
visible, although it has been patched, and
on the book is marked: calvin Lyons
escaped March, 1850" 1t is probable
no attempt will be made to bring him
| back. and that the man will spend the
few remaining days of his life in the
southern town in which his industry won
him fortune